Phytoplankton How To - Super charge your reef tank!

An in depth discussion on phytoplankton, how to culture it, how to harvest it and when! We discuss benefits, costs pro's and cons of buy vs roll your own and the different types that are available. In this video I team up with my friend and local reefer Anthony and we related our successes and failures with raising food for our beloved reefs. Join us and we welcome an in depth discussion as we don't know it all and are ready to learn from you as well!
System as shown in video, Poseidon Reef Systems (this video is not sponsored in any shape or form): poseidonreefsystems.com/produ...
Micro Algae density measurement stick shown in video (Florida Aqua Farms):
floridaaquafarms.com/shop/micr...
Secchi stick holder (compatible only with florida aqua farms stick and poseidons phyto tank):
www.thingiverse.com/thing:527...
Reef2Reef Build - www.reef2reef.com/threads/rob...
Follow me on Instagram - @robbucek
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
08:41 Equipment Recommendations
17:28 Culture Demo
23:56 Culture Requirements & Discussion
26:19 Fertilizer
29:34 ROI (Return on Investments)
34:45 When to harvest?
40:37 Harvest Demo
45:12 Phyto & Copepods
49:47 Conclusions

[@tleary89]

Very detailed and informative video. Thank you!

[@RobBzReef]

@@tleary89 appreciate the kind feedback! I've got an updated video from an IG (Instagram live) on isochrysis Galbana, I really should make an update but I'm never sure if these things are over saturated or not

[@johnkidd3975]

Really! this was one year ago now. Time is flying by. I finally have my own culture growing.

[@RobBzReef]

Sweet, let me know how it turns out

[@hugosandro]

Awesome video! I tried once and messed it up. I just got my equipment out and will do this! Thanks guys!

[@robc9116]

Just wanted to say thank you guys for making such an informative video!

[@RobBzReef]

Appreciate the kind feedback!

[@ryansmithers4661]

Great job, guys! Thanks for the information. Failed my first two initial attempts and now with this information, third time should be a charm!

[@anthonyscholfielddoubleade3746]

Thanks so much and you’re welcome 😀 failure is a part of success and I’m sure you’ll succeed, stay with it! Don’t be afraid to reach out if you have questions.

[@RobBzReef]

thank you! Good luck and if you have any questions we'd he happy to help trouble shoot. We've all been there!

[@Moreysreef]

Thanks for the video!, a lot of good info here. Lots of questions answered.

[@RobBzReef]

glad you found a few nuggets and thanks for the feedback!

[@anthonyscholfielddoubleade3746]

Totally welcome and thanks! Glad it was useful! 😁

[@Moreysreef]

Rewatching all this and taking notes 😁

[@LITTLE_CREATURES]

I watched this video when i started. Thanks guys

[@aaronmethvin]

Great video Rob!

[@RobBzReef]

Thanks Aaron!

[@hcaquaticsreefing]

Great video, clears up alot of questions for me 👍 👌

[@RobBzReef]

Thanks a lot, I'm glad you got a few useful things out of it! We're still learning ourselves

[@Jnvd3b]

Awesome

[@anthonyscholfielddoubleade3746]

Thanks!

[@sleezestack2438]

Great video very informative

[@RobBzReef]

Thanks bud, appreciate the kind words!

[@anthonyscholfielddoubleade3746]

Thanks a bunch 😁

[@robertcookson7681]

excellent content! Thanks for sharing - keep up with the hard work of generating content. Great Job.

[@RobBzReef]

Really appreciate the positive feedback. Definitely will continue to work harder to improve as I go. So much to learn about making these things.

[@Algaewarrior]

Great deep dive on phytoplankton! Very good info. Atm I am using store bought but I've always considered making my own.

[@RobBzReef]

thanks for the support! If you have any questions feel free to reach out to either Anthony or myself. I hope we covered everything.

[@anthonyscholfielddoubleade3746]

Thank you! Yes feel free to reach out if you have questions! If you plan on continuing to dose, culturing your own is definitely something worth considering!

[@scotttang6229]

It’s insanely easy to make. I have too much that I can’t use it all.

[@helwrj28]

Thank you for the great video! What role does temp play in phyto harvesting? I'm planning on a setup in the basement and I'm curious if I need a heat source or if the light alone will be sufficient.

[@RobBzReef]

Thanks for watching! if it gets too cold (say sub 70's) it'll slow it down and may impact the yield potential. All basements not being equal you'd have to test your setup. I have mine in the basement and only use the lights wrapped around the jar for heat. avg temp in my basement year round is 65-68 but the lights get it to mid 70's

[@lynnreefnerd]

Great video. You should do one for pods 🙂

[@RobBzReef]

Thank you Lynn! I will look into that.

[@SimpleAquariumsLauren]

Awesome video guys! Wish there was a way I could test how much Phyto is in the NSW I collect for my tank. would be so interesting to know the natural amounts. 😁🙌🙌 super interesting, keep up the great work.

[@RobBzReef]

Thank you so much for the support! If you wanted to measure that I think you'd need a hemacytometer and a microscope, and be able to identify what's phyto and what's not lol. Something I hope to delve into later this year.

[@SimpleAquariumsLauren]

@@RobBzReef Oooo awesome!! Look forward to hearing more about that, very interesting 👏👏

[@anthonyscholfielddoubleade3746]

Thanks a bunch! Testing sea water would be fun and interesting! 🤓

[@johnkustra1684]

Curious but at what temperature is you culture being made at and is it relevant? Can you give a temperature range to raise a culture. Tks

[@RobBzReef]

I'm not sure what the extremes are one way or the other for temperatures not conducive to growing it. There are probably white papers out there on that. With the setup I have in the basement just from the lights wrapped around the jars I see temps in the range from 76 to 78 degrees F and I've been very successful in that range. I'm sure it could survive more low than high like most things.

[@BriansAquariums]

What do you run your salinity at in Isochrysis? Curious.

[@RobBzReef]

33-34ppt

[@Jnvd3b]

If I missed it my apologies but do you dose with skimmer on or off? Dump the daily amount in at once or drip it in or what?

[@RobBzReef]

At this time I'm manually dosing it in all at once, i throw half in my sump (down stream of the skimmer) and half in my DT. You bring up a great point on shutting down the skimmer, shame on us for not at least bringing it up. At this time i do not shut off the skimmer. I think that's a great talking point, I've heard some folks do, but I haven't seen any data to support whether it makes a difference with daily dosing. In theory it seems like it would be a good idea to not run it for a little while at least. Might make for a great experiment to see how shutting it down vs not impacts your nutrient levels. Just hypothesizing how we'd measure it's impact. Be cool to hear what others think on that.

[@Jnvd3b]

@@RobBzReef my goal (short term) is to have the skimmer off part of the day so I may dose it then. Can’t say how much of an impact it has but I have dosed a heavy amount before and seen it end up in the skimmer cup quickly thereafter. Smaller daily amounts like you guys do probably have smaller issue with skimming it out.

[@anthonyscholfielddoubleade3746]

I do not shut off my skimmer either. I like Rob dose in my fuge after the skimmer and part in the display. I dump the daily amount in all in one shot. I’m sure some gets skimmed out and it would likely depend on the skimmer size too. For me I can’t imagine that having it off or on would make much of a difference. Cant say I usually shut it off when dosing other things such as bacteria either.

[@Jnvd3b]

@@anthonyscholfielddoubleade3746 ya i guess everyone’s setup is a little different. My refugium is actually before my skimmer so I just dose into display but either way dosing phyto has plenty of Pros whether a little gets skimmed out or not, was just curious

[@Demonio109]

Hello, do you have the file to print the density ruler holder? i want to print it cause i sell Phyto to my LFS and i have to use it often....

[@RobBzReef]

I haven't posted that link yet, but good idea. I will let you know once it's up. I'll post the link in the video description

[@RobBzReef]

link to secchi stick holder is now available in the video description

[@Demonio109]

​@@RobBzReef Thanks a lot! i really appreciate it! already printing...

[@RobBzReef]

@@Demonio109 cool, I've noticed a bit of difference in play between sticks, they aren't precision manufactured. If you need to tighten it up I find a simple piece of duct tape on the front of the holder works well.

[@AH-tw4wy]

I've always ran my lights 24/7 without issue, care to share where you found that the phyto needs a dark period? I'm ashamed to admit it's been a while since I've had a read through the trusty old culture manual.

[@boomcar911]

i've done the same, and my phyto is dark like crazy..

[@Noodleanrgry]

70% alcohol is most effective , higher have no benefit

[@mmh1197]

What is with the annoying music?? Please buy a better mic! First part of the video is fodder! Please keep it to the point! Important topic.